Hose coupling



Feb. 12, 1929.

HOSE COUPLING r Z j@ .m

` Feb. 12y 1929.

W. L. WALKER HOSE coUPLING Original Filed Aug. 14, 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb, 12, 1929.

W. L. WALKER HOSE COUPLING s m fg W L a eg Y Z Original Filed Aug. 14, 1920 iiateiitod- Feb; l2,` 1929.

unirse SiA'rss Armi? OFFICE.

WILLIAM L. WALKER, or New Yemen. Y.

HOSE .(JOUPLING.

Application` led August 14, 192D, Serial. No. lr03/l5?. *,Fsenewcd April 10, 1928. l

This invention relates .to hosey couplings and more particularly to couplings for air conveying hose such as employed in connection with the operation ot pneumaticftools., although it is contemplated that thedevice ot the present application will loe `applicable in all cases Where it is desired to provide itor the ready connection and disconnection ot' tubular conduits. i K

Couplings ot the type indicated, as conimonly designed, ein'ploy conipleniental parts having: internally and externally 'threaded portions, respectively.k Such a. 'threaded part particularly that having` the r'eilternal thread7 is easily damaged hy rough usage to an extent rendering it diliicult it not impose Alerte properly engage it with its mating c en'ient thus causing delay andannoyance con'ipleinentai soclets,and each'elein'ent also havingv a clainping` device' of substantially' identical construetion.` According to one ar-`r and Wastingthe timeof the user; f

One object oi" the vpresent invention is to m'ei'conie suoli detects as are found in prior devices as indicatedabov@and to this end it` is proposed to providea structure in which the employment of screw threads ilor holding; the con'ipleniental parts oi the coupling in engaging* relation is dispensed with. y y

y @ne inode. ot accomplishing"this result niay consist in the provision oit one' orvinoielugs projecting axially from the end of one or both .ot the complemental Coupling elements and arranged to be sea-ted in correspfinding;` sockets ln the other ot said element-e together with :i coupling` member associated ivitliwbotl'i el`eand arranged to he moved .int-o claii'ipingr relation to said lug; or lugs. lSuch 'a lug niav it desired he provided vvith a circunr iential lgroove. and..theclainping member may conveniently be the form oit a, ring` havs.; a segmental. flange ivliicli'hy a vpartial roltation'oit the ring may` he caused to V'seatiii said groove. lllnder some circuinstances it turtlrer he desirable to 'form l flange incl? oder ive digevl surfaceivherehy l tive axial movement of tie ri producedhy the rot-ation'ottlie ring. such axial movement serving to draw the parts more closely together 'in an axial direct-ion.

En couplingsas comii'ioiily devised and in which eonipeinental partsare provided.with Y. y

ranoed as ahov l n n e' and sockets togetlierwith a pair of y internal and external. threads respectivelyit is necessary in connectinotivo lengthsof con'T A juxtaposition with one, havinganin .iially threaded elementi rlhis usually. requires the two adjacent ends et.

lyl. 'To this end y 4 separable couihnpv elements substantial 'du` use of'two iv* enches which, it misleid, causes y. serious loss of time.v Furif `further object of the present invention is to provide a'coupling device in ivhiclithe separable couplingv yelements shall he so designed that it .may he possible to attach any I`is proposed to make the `conduit indiscriminate plicates one oit the otherfeacli coupling ele-k n inentpreterahly having one or more lugs and rangement the couplingelements may each lhave r; pair oit diainetrally opposed lugs eaclireiiteiidiiigg through substantially a quad`- rant oarc 1with a pair 4of socket openings of similar extent between them, the lugs and sockets of each coupiing element beingof suhstantially like shape and size. Such a construct-ion permits the ready interengageinent of the tivo pai .s ot lugs andsockets While the* employment et a `clainp member with each conpiine element insures against accidentalvv separation oit the parte. further contributing to this latter end, 'the clamping elements may take the 'forniot rings as above referred to?. such rings 'being arranged `fory partial rotation in relatively opposite direc-v tions to bring the/in intoclaniping position.

In devices tliisvcharacte 1 it is very desir-y ablev that the operation of couplingj'lengths i of conduitrequire no toolsan d litt-le time, but

thatk it sliallslt the saine tiinephe `stroi/ig 'and y reliable. The present invention tlieretorelias :t'or a fnrtherohiect the prosf'ision of 'a coupling-in which the connection anddisconnectionloii the separable parts sliallhe readily and quickly scooinp'lished ley thel hands of the userandzivhich shall also serve to retain the d closely in operative relaescrihed With interengagvoppositelv rotatable clamping rings,`feacli ring; a pair vof segmental flanges adapted to engage CorrespOndinef circuniferf ential lgrooves in the lugs, such engagement d'tlie coupling` mayr b'eai-f.

lengths oi conduit through which fluid passes under higli pressure and as commonly con- -struc-ted such couplings frequently cause great annoyance through leakage at the point of connection.

A. further object ot this invention is to overcome such detect in prior couplings whereby to avoid loss of fluid and reduction of pressure in the conduit. To this end each coupling element may be provided with a compressible elastic member lpreferably in the forni of a washer so arranged relative to adjacent parts that itis brought into closer contacting relation with the opposed washer by increase in iluid pressure within the conduit thus effectively sealing the coupling joint against leakage. y

Fig. 1 is a side elevation oit the complete coupling the parts being locked in position of use; f

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section of thcparts shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation or" one of the separable coupling elements;

Fig. l is an end elevation taken from the left-hand side of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of one of the.

rotatable locking rings employed;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the ring shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a hose clamping cap used with the coupling;

v Fig. 8 is an end elevation ot the device shown'in Fig. Z illust-rating the employment of a novel forni et nut lock therewith;

Fig. 9 is an end elevation oit the device shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation illustrating two wedge clamping elements employed in connecting a hose to the device shown in Fig. 3"

Fig.,11 is an end elevation of the device shown in Fig. 3 with the locking ring mount ed thereon; n

Fig. 12 is a side elevation illustrating separable coupling elements of a modified construction; l

Fig. 13 is a. section on the line a-ZJ of Fig.

111 illustratinrr a locking rin r emnlo 7ed with 7 ci o b 1 showing the rings in unlocked position;

Figs. 18 and 19 are longitudinal cross-sections through one of the separable coupling elements showing locking rings ot the type illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17 associated therewith. The position of the parte in these figures corresponds to that shown in Figs. 1G and 17 respectively;

' Fig. 1S is a dianietral cross-section ot a iiiodilied and preferred iiorin ot theclainping ring shown in 1&1;

Fig. 18b is a side elevation illustrating thc cooperation ot two clamping rings ksuch as shown in 18% y Fig. 185i.I a cross section on the line c--c ot' Fig. 18a; c y

`Fig. 18d is a crosssection on the line Z-d ot Fig. 18a: f

Fig. 2O is a longitudinal cross-section through a pair rof separable coupling elements illustrating a modified form opl loch:h ing ring; l

Fig. 21 is a section on the line e-/t of Fig. 20; n

FiO. 22 is a sectional view transverse v of the locking ring shown in Fie. 20:

Fig. 23 is a longitudinal section through one of the separable coupling elements illustrating an arrangement olE packing ring or nals for a pair ot l'l'eilible conduits 1, 2.

Seen more clearly in 'Fi 2, each ot these terminals comprises a substantially cylindrical body portion 3 having a central longiti.- dinal bore l arranged to ytorni a continuation of the channel in the conduit. rt one end tliefbody portion B is provided with a lon tudinally'extending'nipple 5 which ma. inserted in the end ci the conduit. The bod; portion 3 is also provided with an outwardly extending cylindrical wall 6 arranged concentrically with the nipple ann crewt ireaded upon its exterior surface. Tae interior surface' ot said wall G may it desired. be provided with toothed or ro hened portions 7. Cooperating with sarl roughened portions, wedgeinembers S may be provided. such wedge members as clearly illustrated in Figs. 9, 10, being oi substa y ally cula form and having oughened surfaces .j

ed to cooperate with the surtaces cap having a central onen ig 1 which the end ot the loncnni may i..

l i said ca bein@ screw-threadec at 12 for cn- P D Y llll ' the Wall G.

conduit.

1 surface 18.

gagement with the screw-threads upon the out-sidev ot the Wall 6.

In assembling the parts .thus far described, the nipple 5 is inserted Within .the end ot the rlhe wedge members 8 are then po sitioned to substantiallysurround theouter -end of the conduit and are pushed inwardly into engagementI with 'the inner surface oi The cap which has previously been s'lippedover the end ot the conduit is then moved downwardly luntil its screw threads engage those of the outer. surface of the Wall 6, whereupon the cap is rotated thus n Vforcing the Wedges 8 inwardly and securely lacking the conduit in operative engagement with the memberB.

The cap 10 may be provided with a circunrV lterential groove 18 having one or more radial openings 14 extending-'from the bottom of the groove through `the cap. 15 is a lresilient ivire ring arranged to be sprung into the groove-13, and to seat Within the same,` this v ring havingat one end a lug 16 termed by bending the ring sharply inv a radial direction. The Wall 6 is provided with a longitir dinal slot 17 extending along the threaded portion thereof, and adapted to receive the 'lug 16 when the latter is permitted tokproy ject through the opening 14. In screwing the cap into vplace the ymember 15 `is first sprung outwardly to remove the lug lfrom the opening 111 and is then slid around inthe groove 13 to a sufficient dist-ance to prevent the lug 16 from dropping into the opening. The cap is then free to turn,y but Wheniit has ,been sufficiently tightened `the member 15 is again movedV sufficiently to permit lug 16'to pass through an opening 14 into engagement with the slot 17 thus locking the cap against rotation. lt Will be understood' that a plurality of slots 17 may if desired be provided. The members 3 which may for convenience be termed conduit terminals are of duplicate construction and it will be suiiic'ient herein to describe but one of them in further detail. A f i Referring to Figs. 2, 3, and 4, it will be seen that the body portion 3 is provided at its left hand end1 Witha cylindrical portion 18 ot reduced diameter forming a shoulder 19. `Said body portion 3 terminates at its lett hand eXtremity, as shown `in Fig. B', in a reduced cylindrical portion 2O ot Vrelatively small diameter. Said portion is flared outivardly, as seen at 21,.to itsjunction With the The end Wall ot the body portion, as seen at 22, forms a suitacesubstan1 tially perpendicular to its axis. l- Projecting from the body 'portion 3 left, as seen in Fig. .3 Varea plurality of axially extending lugs 230i segmental 'toi-m,

stood that they may be formed as separate elements and suitably securedthereto. These its r to the lugskk are preferably symmetrically spaced about tliefbody portionan'd are Otan angular length substantially equal to that et' the spaces between them. lhile .as herein shown two diametricall'y opposed lugs are employed, it is to be understood that a greater or less number may be employed ii'l desired. f The the respective lugs23, said grooves beingi'n endivise"alignment and preferably yof substantially V VVform although under some circumstances square grooves maybe employed. if

lVhile as herein shown the inclined surfaces 26,l E? of these grooves are caused to axially intersectalong apen line 28, itis to be und er stood thatthe'term- V `groove/is not necessarily limited to one iiiwvhiclitlie inclinedv surfaces actually meet, asit isintendedto include a ,groeve having inclined surfaces whichwouldV only meet at an imaginary liney in space. rBhe grooves are' symmetrical as respects the line 28, and fthe angle'betiveen lthe sides is' preferably substantially a. right angle, al-

though the exact angle isvot no importance.

The outer free extremities othelugs 23 are providedivitli curved isuri'acesQQ the curvature et rwhich is substantially :like that of the surface 21, such suriacesbeing eomplemental one of the other.k f y Referring new `to Figs. 5 and 6, SOfis a lock ing ring' having anA internal` diameter such as toiperniit i'tto slip over and slide freely upon f the ,cylindricalsiiifaoeil. At its left hand side. usfseenin Figs. 2 and 5, said ring is pro- -v,ided lwith a. pair of segment-al inwardly extending itlanges 3l. f These flanges in cross- -section `are .oitftriangular-,form as clearly shown in FigZ.l The lett hand tace of the liange 32 lies in the plane oiC the lett hand end surtace B3 ot thering7 while the right hand surface 34 oi said flange inclined at substantially the saine angletas the .face 27 ot the ygroove 25. The flanges 31 ,are 4osulostantially the saine. arcuate length as the spaces 24 l betiveen the lugs 23. nuthinassemblingthe l partsthe ring S0 `.vill'be slipped over the end oit the ri'effluced ycylindricalv portion 18. being turned toa degree su'Hicient-to permit the .flanges Seite pass between the lugs 23; The rino 8O isv ot an axial len *l jht hand edge seats. 19 the surface 33 olth li inst th e i sh oulder when in such al position thering may befroange will liesubstantiallyin the, plane ot the surface fand i such that When csi the operation of the device but toriiis a convenient means ofpositioning the parts in assembling the saine.

The ring 80 is provided with a circumferential slot 34 extending through the saine `and adapted to engage over a pin 35 having threaded engagei'iient with anl opening 36 formed in the reduced portion 18 of the body member. The screw 36 is inserted after the ring 30 has been placed in position` with its flange in engagement with the groove whereby the ring is retained iii position,.- the slot 341permittingl a partial rotation of the ring.

lt being understood that the other of the conduit terminals is oi a construction which is the duplicate of that just described and it being further remembered that the lugs 23, the spaces 2e betweenthein and the flange 31 are of substantially equal arcuate lengths, it will be clear that by rotating the rings 30 the flanges 31 `inaylie caused'to lie within 'the lgrooves 25 without overlapping the ends ot the same.. lVith the parts in this position the lug.. 23 ot one terminal element ina-y be inserted xiii' the spaces between the lugs of the other terminal element, the surfaces 29 of one pair of lugs engaging the surfaces 21 ot' the opposite body member. With the parts in this position, the twopairs of lugs being in innieshed relation1 theA discontinuous cylindrical surfacesof the two members combine to form a substantial continuous surface, and thel grooves 25 combine to forni a substantidly continuous circumferential groove or channel. y f

lf now with the parts in this position one of the rings be turned a part revolution as permitted by the slot 34, its flanges 31 which previouslyv lay entirely within the grooves of its own lugs, will now be caused to over-lap the grooves ot the n'eXt adjacent lugs, such lugs being carried by the otherv of the. terminal elements. Such over-lapping ot the flanges serves to prevent withdrawal of the lugs whereby the two terminals are locked in connected position. While as just described but one ot the rings was moved, it is tol be understood that in the usual operation both rings will be partially rotated, and as the rings are preferably arranged to be rotated in kopposite directions their respective flanges will he caused to over-lap at both ends of said lugs. thus very securely locking the coupling elements in 'position ot use. As the parts'are illustrated herein it' is onlyneccssary to turn the rings an eighth. revolution in opposite directions to secure such locking effect, and for unlocking and separating the parts a similaidegree of movement is necessary.

ln a modified 'form shown in Figs. 1Q to 15, one wall of the V groovein the lugs is inclined in an axial direction asseen at 40, and the flange 4:1 carried by the locking ring L12, vis providedwith an inclined cam surface 43 at its advancing end. By 'this arrangement, upoiifiotation of the locking ring, the sui face e3, comino` .into contact with thc sui'tace 10, by a cani action', causesr a longitudinal movement of the lug with which it engages and as the advancing t'ncts with the surface of a lug carried by the opposite terminal element, it is clear that the latter will be forcibly drawn into contact with the terminal clement upon which the locking ring is mounted. lt is to lie understood that this arrangement of parts is duplicated in the two terminals so that such wedging or caniiiiing action results in a veryclose contacting ot the terminal elements simultaneously withy their locking against disengagement.

ln the arrangement shown in Figs. 18d to 18 inclusive the clamping ring 30X is provided with internal radial flangesA having inclined ends Sly and inclined inner walls 313. The outer faces 31x of said flanges are not vflush with the outer faces ot the' clamping rings as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 but are gradually inclined outwardly therefrom being flush outstanding theierroin at the opposite end as shown iii Eig. 181. llith this arrangement it will be clear that lupon Lengageinentof the jclainping rings anda relative rotation of vthe same the inclined faces 31X? will act as cams or wedges for forcing the ringsvin opposite directions axially.

in the modification shown in Figs. 16 to 19 inclusive, the locking rings 50, 51 respectively, which are shown developed in Figs. 16 and 17 are each provided with cani surfaces 52, su'cli surfaces being formed on adj aceiit edges ofthe respective rings and being axially .inclined in the saine direction. ln the employment of locking rings of this type it is necessary that the groovet'ormed in the projecting lugs shall be of a width to provide clearance, whereby the rings may be permitted to have a slight axial movement. As shown in Figs. 18

' and 19 the slot has a bottom surface 53 which is substantially cylindrical and side walls 5e, 55 perpendicular thereto. This exact arrangement oit the side walls, however., is notessential, as side walls inclined to the bottom ot the slot serve equally well tor the purpose intended, and such slot having inclinedv side walls is regarded as .talling within the definition of a V-sha'ied groove as above pointed out. f

`ln order to permit the rings to inove axially, the slots 56`tlieiein which engage the limiting pins 57 are inclined in a direction substantially parallel to the cani surfaces rlhe rings 5C, 51, are provided with locking flanges 58, 59 respectively similar' to the flanges 31 ofthe before described structure illustrated in Fig. 5. lVith this arrangement ot parts it will be readily understood that ipon a partial rotation of the locking rings 50, 51 in opposite directions, the flanges 58, 59

end of said flange contherewith at one end shown in F 18 and -90 llU y during such movement the cam surfaces 52,

reacting one against the other, serve to crowd the rings 50, inl opposite directions axially of thecoupling and as Vthe flanges of each ring bear agaii it one of the walls 54, of the opposite terminal element suoli movement of the rings serves to draw said coupling elements into close contact Simultaneously with the locking of the same.` While as herein illustrated the cam surfaces 52 are formed upon oppositcly rotatable rings it is evident that if under any circumstances but one such locking rinU were em alo ed. such rino4 mi f'ht L o 'ci coupling` element 6l, such groove being` of.

substantially the form herein before ldescribed with reference to the structure shown in Fig. 3, and having inclined sides 62, 63. The coupling elementl 64 is also provided with similar grooves in outstanding lugs, such grooves when the parts are in position as shown in Fie: 20 aligning with the groove 60 and therewith forming a substantially continuous circular channel.

is a flexible ring herein shown as having the forni of a flat strip of material bent toY form a nearly complete circular arc. Upon one of the free ends of said member is secured a bracket 66 having pivotally` secured therein a screw threaded rod 67 and upon the other end of said member 65 is mounted a second bracket 68, said latter bracket being bifurcated to form a radial slot 69 into which the rod 67 may be swung. The ring member 65 is provided at intervals with inwardly extending ribs 70 of substantial triangular' form asshown in Fig. 22,'the transverse section of said ribs being of substantially the same shape and size as a corresponding section of the groove 60. Inthe employment of the device above described the outstanding lugs of the coupling terminals 61, 64 will be placed in intermeshed relation as hereinbefore described with respect to the structure shown' in Figz 1, and the spring band 65 with its ribs 70 will then be sprung into position such that the ribs 7 0 engage within the groove of the outstanding and intermeshed lugs. rlhe .rod 67 isthen swung down into engagement with theslot 69 and by tightening the nut 171 upon the outer groove alsohaving a cylindrical wall-75.

end of the rod 67, the band together with the ribs may be drawn into clamping relation to the respective sets ofy lugs. During such movementthe inclined `.surfaces of the ribs 70, byl engagement with the inclined faces 62, 68, ofthe `groove 60 tend todraw the terminals 6l, 64 into close contact withk thogrooves 60 in enact circumferential alignment, .and "thus simultaneously*lock the terminals `together while drawing i them `into close contact. y

ln couplings of this character it is desir-r able to provide fora very close and tight fit between the adjacent ends of the separable coupling elements to avoid leakage of fluid through the joint, and to this endfit is common to provide packing rings between'the coupling terminals Under high pressure such packing rings fail to operate properly, and in order to secure improved resultsthe arrangements.shown in Figs. 23 to 25 would be provided. having thev end face71 and the central bore 72, is formed with an angular interior groove 73 of which one wall 74 may if desired, Vbe inclined inwardly and toward the face 71, such 76 is la packing ring, washer, or gasket of rubber or other suitable material having its outer peripheral surface shaped to lit snugly within the groove 78. The inclined wall 74 serves to lock said ring against accidental displacementu lllhen two coupling terminals, such 79, are brought into endwise engagement, the rings 76 will be compressed and as the rings are supported by the wall 7 5 such compression tends -to deflect tie rings inwardly. When the fluid under pressure is admitted to the conduit it acts to move the deflected packing ring outwardly to initial position, but as the rings were deflected inwardly under compression such actionof the fluid merely serves to further compress the rings whereby an exceedingly tight joint is formed between the ends of the separable coupling terminals. l n f ln Fig. 25 the terminal 80 provided with a bore 81 has a groove 82 formed adjacent its free extremity 83, such groove also having an inclined wall 84. 85 is a packingring of somewhat diiferent form from that shown in Fig. 23 seated within the groove and bearingcagainst the inclined wall S4. The action of the packingring. 85 under compression is substantially similar 'to that of the ring 7 6 before described.l i

ln Fig. 26 a further and preferred arrangement of packing ring is disclosed, the coupling terminal having the bore 100a being provided near'its extremity with an enlargement 101 of the bore. This enlargement terminates'at its'inner end at a radial groove 102, the end face 100b of the coupling being substantially fiat. 1Within the enlarged bore is seated a sleeve 103 of resilient material,

ln Fig. 23 the terminal ,79,

said sleeve having vrr-.dially extending flanges at opposite ends one eff-said flanges 10% beingv seated in the groove 102 and the other flange overlapping and resting against the end face 100". l/Vhen the tivo coupling terminals are intermeshed as illustrated in 2l the outstanding lugs provide a substantially continuous circular Wall supporting the outer faces of the radial flanges 105, thus acting in substantially the same manner as the Wall 75 of the coupling terminal shown in Fig. 23. rlhe arrangement shown in Fig. 26 permits of securing the gasket member 103 with its flanges securely in position Within the terminal without the necessity of weakening the latter by grooves closely adjacent its free extremity.

l claim:

1. In a coupling device, in combination a substantially cylindrical body member, an axial extension of smaller diameter at one end of said member, the peripheral surface of' said extension being flared outwardly 'to provide a curved surface merging into the end face of said member, anda lug projecting from said member and to a point beyond said extension, said lug terminating in a curved surface complemental to the curved surface first named.

2. In a coupling device, in combination, a conduit terminal comprising a cylindrical body portion having an axial extension, sait axial extension having 'a circumferential groove therein, a ring freely turnable upon said extension, and a radial flange extending` inwardly from said ring and slidable in said groove, the outer face of said ring lying ina radial plane substantially bisecting the axial Width of said groove.

3. ln a device of the class described, a conduit terminal having a substantially cylindrical body portion provided with an end surface substantially perpendicular to its axis, a member carried by said terminal and provided With a single circumferential groove, a ring mounted for free rotation uponsaid terminal `and an angular flange carried by said ring and slidable in said groove, one face of said flange lying substantially in the plane of said end surface.

4; ln a device ofthe class described, in combination a conduit terminal having an end surface, and spaced members projecting beyond said surface and having formed therein sections of a discontinuous .V groove, the apex of said groove lying substantially in the plane of said end surface.

5. In a coupling device, in combination, a conduit terminal, a member carried by said terminal and having a v shaped, circumferential groove therein, a ring mounted for free rotation upon said terminal, and a flange of triangular section carried by said ring and slidable in said groove.

6. ln a coupling device, a conduit terminal having asubstantially flat surface, a member carried by said terminal and having a V shaped circumferential groove therein, the apex of said groove lying substantially in the plane of said surface, a ring mounted for free rotation upon said terminal, and a flange of triangular section carried by said ring and slidable in said groove, said flange having one face thereof lyingsubstantially in the plane of said fiat surface.

7. ln a coupling device, a terminalmember of substantially cylindrical form provided with an end surface perpendicular to its axis, and a segmental lug projecting axially beyond said surface, said lug having a circumferential V groove therein, the apex of said groove lying substantially in the plane of said surface.

S, fr separable coupling comprising a pair of like terminal members, each terminal member having a plurality of segmental lugs projecting from its end, the spaces between adjacent l i s being of substantially the same circumferential extent as the lugs, each lug having an end surface complemental to the surface of the terminal intermediate the lugs, the end surface of the lug of one terminal be- .in g adapted to lit against the complementary surface intermediate adjacent lugs of the other terminal, each lug having a single cir` cumferentially extending groove in its outer surface, all of the grooves of both terminals being aligned when the, terminals are engaged with one another, and a retaining ring disposed in said aligned grooves to hold theL terminals in operative relation.

9. A separable coupling comprising a pair of like terminal members, each terminal memberv having a plurality of circumferentiallyv spaced segmental lugs projecting from its end, the lugs and intervening spaces being of substantially equal circumferential extent, each lug having a curved end surface, the surface of the terminal members inter-y mediate the lugs being complementary curved, the curved end face of the lugs of one terminal being adapted to fit snugly against the complementary curved faces of the other terminal, each lug of each terminal having a single circumferentially extending groove in its outer surface, all of the grooves of both terminals being aligned when the terminals are engaged With one another, and a retain* ing ring disposed in said aligned grooves to hold the terminals in operative relation.

. 1 0. A coupling having in combination a substantially cylindrical body member, an axial extension at one end of said member, said lextension having a curved circumferential surface merging into the end surface of said member, and a pair of spaced, segmental lugs projecting from said member and to a point beyond the end of said extension, said rotatable ring associated with each said 'ter minal tor engaging in locking Contact with the other said terminal, said rings being so constructed and arranged as to react one against the other upon opposite rotation thereof whereby to draw said terminals into close Contact.

l2. In a coupling, in combination, a pair et conduit terminals, a rotatable locking ring mounted tc turn freely upon each otsaid terminals, lockingv elements carried by the ring on each said` terminal to engage in loc-lring contact with the other said terminal, and axially inclined opposed cam surfaces formed upon the adjacent edges of said rings.

13. in a hose coupling, the combination with a body portion having segmental annular recesses in theend thereolc forming a central boss and a central conduit opening be tween said recesses, segmental lugs projecting from said end longitudinally beyond said boss between said recesses and adapted to dove tail with similar lugs on a complementary coupling member, said projections having circumferential. V-shaped locking grooves, and a locking ring provided with internal projections correspondingwith the grooves in said lugs. l

14. ln a hose coupling the combination with a body portion having segmental annular recesses in the end thereof forming a central boss and a central conduit opening between said recesses, segmental lugs projecting from said end longitudinally beyond said boss between said recesses and adapted to dovetail with similar lugs on a complementary couplingmember, said projections being provided with circumferential lockingygrooves, a locking ring provided with internal projections corresponding` with the grooves in said lugs, the opposite end of said body portion having a cylindrical nipple through which said conduit opening passes uninterruptedly, an external tlange surrounding said cylindrical projection` and means for wedging a hose end between said cylindrical projection and said Hangs.

15. A hose coupling comprising a body t portioma cylindrical nipple extending from one end thereof, a fiange concentric with said nipple, wedge shaped clamping members adapted to be forced into clamping position between said nipple and said iange, means to torce said clamping members into clamping position between said flange and'said nipple, symmetrical outwardly projecting segmental lugs on the other end of said body portion adapted to dovetail with lugs of similar shape on a complementa-ry coupling member and having circumferential grooves provided with inwardly converging walls, a locking ring meunted for 'free rotation vin said grooves and' provided with radial projections having correspondingly converging surfaces adapted to engage the walls of said grooves, and a replaceable'resilient bushing or gasket located about the conduit opening and between saidlugs and adapted to becompressed between two 'coupling members when locked together.

Signed byme at New York, N. Y., this 21st day of July, 1920,

WILLIAM L. WALKER. 

